Expression-controlling means



Sept. 24', 1929. J. G. WILLIAMS ET AL 1,729,198

EXPRESSION CONTROLLING MEANS 1 Filed Nov. 17, 1928 4 Sheets$heet l WITNEES. \NVENTOR JEROME G- lV/LL/Am's AND Z g i EDWARD J, SCHNEIDER B) THE/RAT ORNEY Sept. 24, 1929. J. G. WILLIAMS Efi' AL 1,729,198

EXPRESSION CQNTROLLING MEANS Filed NOV. 1'7, 1928 .4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ithan WITNESSES \NVENTOR JRoME N/L-LIAMS AIYD EDWARD JficHNE DER r THE/I?A'ITORNEY Sept. 24, 1929. J. G. WILLIAMS ET AL 1,729,198

ExPriEssmN CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Nov. 17, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 g EINVENTOR JEROME 4. WILLIAMS AND EDWARD JTSc'Hr/E/DER BY THEIR ATTORNEY.

Sept. 24, 1929- .1. G. WILLIAMS ET AL 1,729,198

EXPRESSION CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Nov. 17, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 L M EV ARD SCHNE/D 5y WITN sszs \NVENTOR VA "g 44 JEROME WILLIAMS AND TH IRATTOR HEY WWZKZWW Patented Sept. 24, 1929 JEROME G. WILLIAMS AND EDWARDJ.

PATENT OFFICE SCHNEIDER, on CINCINNATI, OHIO, AS-

SIG-NORS TO THE BALDWIN COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIOEXPRESSION-CONTROLLING MEANS Application filed November 17, 1928.

T his invention relates to expression or tone control means for pianos.

One method used heretofore as an aid in obtaining soft expression in thepiano, when played either mechanically or by hand, has been to reducethe travel of the hammers. Another method has been to shift the hammersso that when actuated fewer strings are struck.

Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. The first method mightbe described as a mechanical aid to the performer in that due tolessened hammer travel and, as sometimes constructed, lessened keytravel or dip, a soft tone is obtained without a nicety of touch ormechanical control being required. The second method, due of course, tothe fewer strings struck also gives a softened tone but in addition, achanged tone is obtained as the unstruck strings vibrate in harmony withthe struck strings resulting in a beautiful soft and changed tone. Thedisadvantage of this system has been that the hammer and key travel areunchanged thus requiring a high perfection of touch or mechanicalcontrol for best results.

It is the object of this invention to combine the good points of theabove separately described methods. Thus an increase in the range ofsoft expression is obtained as well as an increase in sensitivity oftouch without interfering with repetition and at the same timeeliminating all lost motion bet-ween keys and piano action.

Referring now to the drawings Fig. 1 is a side view showing ourinvention as applied to a grand piano action. Fig. 2 is the same view ofour invention as applied to a grand piano action as Fig. 1 except thatthe parts are now in the operative or changed position.

Fig. 3 is a partly diagrammatic view looking from the back of the keysforward and shows the normal relation of hammers to the strings of agrand piano.

Fig. 4 is the operative position of the parts Serial No. 320,064.

shown in Fig. 3 and shows the raised position of the hammer as well asthe shifting position as related to the piano strings.

The operation of our improved device is as follows:

When the foot pedal 1, fulcrumed at 2, is depressed, a lifting motion isimparted to the shift crank 3, by the lift rod 4. The shift crank 3,fulcrumed at 5 imparts a sliding motion to the key frame 6, the keys 7,the piano action 8 including hammers 9 and shifts same to position shownat 10 in Fig. 4 with reference to the piano strings 14. At the same timelift pin 11, due to lifting motion of the shift crank 3, raises the rod12 fulcrumed at 13 and with it the rear end of the keys 7. This liftingaction of the keys 7, thru the piano action 8 raises the hammers 9 fromthe. normal rest position shown at 19 in Fig. 1 to a position nearer thestrings 14 as shown at 15 in Figs. 2 and 4. Due to the action of the rod12, the keys 7 are always in contact with the piano action 8 at 16 thruthe capstan screw 17. Therefore it follows that there will be no lostmotion between keys and piano action although a lessened hammer travelis brought about as well as a lessened key dip at the front of the key.hen the pedal 1 is released the parts resume their normal position as inFigs. 1 and 3 due to the action of a shift spring 18, at the treble endof the key frame 6 which normally holds the key frame 6, the keys 7,piano action 8, hammers 9 and shift crank 3 in the position as shown inFigs. 1 and 3, with regard to strings 14. Note now the normal fullhammer travel as shown at 19, in Figs. 1 and 3 and the position of thehammer 9 in that it will now strike all three of the strings 14.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In a grand piano, strings, a piano action and hammers for actuatingthe strings, keys for actuating the piano action and hammers, shiftermeans for shifting keys and piano action, means for shortening thestroke of the one lever.

JEROME G. VILLIAMS. EDWVARD J. SCHNEIDER.

